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Tags Posts tagged with "AAW"

AAW

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to invite public comment on proposed changes for the renewal of the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approves waivers for a five-year period, and the current AAW expires on June 30, 2026. Therefore, ODP must submit a renewal for the AAW to CMS no later than April 1, 2026. The AAW renewal is anticipated to be effective on July 1, 2026. The public comment period starts on January 17, 2026, and ends on February 16, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

As part of this process, ODP is seeking your valuable feedback and comments on the AAW. Proposed substantive changes include:

  • Separating out Life Sharing and Residential Habilitation: Community Homes as distinct services.
  • Removing the lifetime funding limit on Assistive Technology devices and replacing it with a $3,000 annual limit. Participants who need Assistive Technology that exceeds this limit may request an exception.
  • Extending the re-authorization period for Career Planning services from 90 days to 6 months and removing time limitations for the Supported Employment service.
  • Clarifying the components of the Specialized Skill Development (SSD) service.
  • Removing Speech/Language service component from the Therapy service.
  • Enhancing Home Modification service to include additional allowances.

The proposed changes discussed in the section above are available to help all interested persons provide public comment. Public comments will be accepted via email, written comments, and verbal comments during a webinar held on February 9, 2026. All comments received by 11:59 pm on February 16, 2026, will be reviewed and considered for revisions to the AAW submitted to CMS.

Please review ODPANN 26-011 for more details.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 26-008. This communication is to inform all Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Supports Coordination Organizations (SCO), whose last digit of their Master Provider Index (MPI) number is 6, 7, 8, or 9 as well as new SCOs who enrolled in the AAW during fiscal year 2024/25, that they must submit their qualification documentation to the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) between February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026.

Documentation must include a completed AAW SCO Qualification form and SCO Qualification Documentation Record, as well as any other required supporting documentation.

Please view the announcement for more details.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 26-002. The purpose of this communication is to provide guidance regarding the intent and purpose of an Individual Support Plan (ISP) meeting and whether attending an ISP meeting is a billable unit of service.

Please view the announcement for more details. Questions about this announcement should be directed to the appropriate ODP BSASP Regional Office.

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On July 1, 2025, the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) rolled out a new assessment bundle for the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW). The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is interested in hearing from Supports Coordinators (SC) and providers on their experiences with implementing the new assessments.

Please join ODP for a Virtual Office Hour (VOH) to share feedback, ask questions, and review resource materials.

Who should attend?
All AAW SCs and Providers

Date: January 30, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Register Here

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-116. The purpose of this communication is to inform providers of Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) services and Supports Coordination Organizations (SCO) of the updated provider qualification process.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) require a statewide process to ensure providers are qualified to render services to waiver-funded individuals. The Provider Qualification Process described in the communication outlines the steps the provider must follow to meet these requirements, and the steps Supports Coordinators (SC) must take to transition individuals if needed. This communication does not describe the qualification process for AAW SCOs.

NOTE: The release of this communication obsoletes ODP Announcement 20-110 New Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) Provider Qualification Process.

Providers that are shared across Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) and the AAW must complete the Provider Qualification processes with both their assigned Administrative Entity (AE) for the ID/A waivers and the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) for the AAW.

Please view the full announcement for complete details.

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Topic: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) — An Overview and Practical Application

Note: This training satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance-Based Contracting (PBC). Please see more details below on Continuing Education (CE) Credits. This training is an approved alternative to the SPeCTRUM offered on MyODP.

Over the years, the prevalence of autism has increased, Pennsylvania’s service delivery system for individuals with autism has expanded, and best practices to provide quality supports have emerged. To support the individual needs of each person with autism across the lifespan, an understanding of core characteristics must be established. It is also important to learn how the individual’s presentation of autism may change across settings and situations.

This training will provide attendees with an in-depth presentation on core characteristics of autism and the impact of the characteristics on daily life, routines, and activities. A review of common terms and basic principles used to change behavior, teach new skills, and develop practical application of best practices will be included. Opportunity for discussion and engagement will occur throughout the training in the virtual setting.

Who should attend?

Direct Support Professionals, Front Line Supervisors, and Program Managers supporting individuals with autism in residential and other home and community-based settings.

Professionals supporting individuals in the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP), Consolidated Person/Family-Directed Support (P/FDS), and Community Living waivers are encouraged to attend.

Where and when will sessions be held?

You must register separately for each session.

Continuing Education Units (CEU):

This training satisfies the basic autism training requirement for Residential Performance-Based Contracting measures CN-DD/Bx.01.1S and CN-DD/Bx.01.1CE for all Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Frontline Supervisors (FLS), and program managers. This training also fulfills 6100 ongoing training requirements.

To receive a training certificate, attendees must attend both virtual sessions.

Please contact the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) Training Inbox with questions.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-074. This announcement is to communicate the updated process for ODP’s Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) to initially qualify new provider applicants for the AAW effective August 1, 2025.

Pursuant to 55 Pa. Code §6100.82 (relating to enrollment documentation) and the service qualification requirements specified in Appendix C of the AAW to become a qualified provider, applicants must:

  • First complete the ODP Provider Applicant Orientation (PAO) training pre-session modules, then
  • Complete the ODP Provider Application for Initial Qualification/Enrollment for the AAW, and finally
  • Submit all required provider qualification documentation designated for new provider applicants.

Please review the announcement for additional information and details.

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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released Bulletin 00-25-02: Individual Eligibility for the Consolidated, P/FDS, Community Living and Adult Autism Waivers and the accompanying attachment.

The purpose of this bulletin is to communicate:

  • The requirements and procedures for evaluating an individual’s eligibility for services and supports provided through the Consolidated, Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS), Community Living Waivers (ID/A Waivers), and the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW); and
  • The requirements and procedures for re-evaluating an individual’s eligibility for the ID/A Waivers.

Additional resources to assist with the evaluation and re-evaluation of HCBS eligibility for services and supports are available on MyODP’s website.

This bulletin obsoletes Office of Developmental Programs 00-19-04: Individual Eligibility for the Consolidated, P/FDS and Community Living Waivers.

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